Data recently published by the ministry of fishing affairs revealed the extent to which the Spanish fishing industry has defied one of the deepest financial crises the country has suffered since it gained European Union membership. It turns out the sector has weathered the past four years better than previously thought.
The economic value of the fishing industry’s business improved by 2.3% since 2009 to slightly above €4.5 billion, even though production fell by 2.8%. Between 2011 and 2013, some 1,000 jobs were lost but the percentage is far healthier than the national 28% with merely 11.3%.
The official figures show that only last year household consumption of fishing products began to recover, 2 percentage points comparing to 2012, spending a total of €9.1bn and buying 1.2bn of kilograms of fish. This would suggest there’s a potential growth margin when Spain restores its balance sheet.
During the last two years, exports have remained flat at €2.9bn, of which €2.4bn came from fish processing. Imports have lost strength, though, to €4.73bn in 2013 from €5.04bn in 2012, helping to somehow cut down the trade deficit of the industry.
The ministry also said that since 2008, taking the latest 2012 surveys into account, captures of sole and halibut have dropped by 33% to 15,481 metric tons, and 4.4% cod and hake fishing volumes to 116,751t. Catches of tuna increased to 238,915t by 14.2%, while octopus and squid did so by 8.5% to 53,784t.
Fresh fish production slipped down 3.1% to 349,709t in 2012 with an economic value of €751.2m. Frozen fish lost 1.9% to 391.171t or €656.7m.
The Spanish fishing fleet retained its third position in the European largest industry ranking thanks to its 10,116 vessels, whose average tonnage is 38.1 and surpasses that of the British, French and Italian counterparts.
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(seafood.vasep.com.vn) An Giang is focusing on expanding climate-adaptive marine aquaculture models, aiming for safe and sustainable production. This approach not only enhances economic efficiency but also helps fishermen stabilize their livelihoods amid weather fluctuations.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first 10 months of 2025, Vietnam’s pangasius export value to China (including Mainland China and Hong Kong) reached $483 million, up 1% compared to the same period in 2024. October alone posted $73 million, a strong 19% increase year-on-year. The Chinese market currently accounts for nearly 27% of Vietnam’s total pangasius export value.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) According to data from Vietnam Customs, the country’s lobster exports posted another strong month in October 2025, reaching $93 million - a 75% increase from the same month in 2024. This performance extends the sector’s impressive growth streak from earlier in the year, pushing cumulative exports for the first 10 months to $712 million, up an extraordinary 135% year-over-year. Within the product mix, green lobster remained the dominant driver, accounting for 98% of total export value, with $700 million recorded in the first 10 months - a 141% jump year-on-year. In contrast, exports of spiny lobster and other lobster varieties declined slightly by 22% and 1%, respectively, indicating that market demand is becoming increasingly concentrated on the most sought-after product line.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Currently, Da Nang City has no fishing vessels detained, sanctioned by foreign authorities, or criminally prosecuted for IUU fishing violations. Patrols, monitoring of marine fishing activities, and handling of violations have been prioritized by competent forces, significantly reducing nearshore fishing infringements.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) According to statistics from Vietnam Customs, Vietnam’s tuna exports to Israel in the first nine months of 2025 reached just over USD 27 million, down as much as 49% compared to the same period in 2024. This is a steep and prolonged decline for many consecutive months, reflecting changes in import demand as well as shifts in the supply structure of this market.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The first 700 tons of Vietnamese tilapia ordered and imported by JBS Group will initially be distributed through supermarket chains, the Horeca network and JBS’s product showrooms in Brazil.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In October 2025, Vietnam’s pangasius exports hit $217 million, representing an 8% increase compared to the same month in 2024. For the first 10 months of the year, total export value has surpassed $1.8 billion, up 9% year-on-year. This growth demonstrates clear positive momentum for the pangasius industry, despite continued declines in certain markets.
In recent days, the Central provinces of Vietnam have been suffering from historic flooding, with prolonged heavy rains, landslides, flash floods, and deep inundation causing extremely serious impacts on tens of thousands of households, as well as many VASEP member exporters located in the region. With the spirit of mutual support and solidarity, and in order to promptly assist residents and member exporters in the affected areas to stabilize their lives and restore production activities, VASEP calls on all seafood exporters, organizations, and individuals to extend supports to the people and member exporters in the flood-hit areas. We urge timely and practical material and spiritual contributions to help member exporters and local communities in the severely affected provinces overcome this difficult period.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the final days of October 2025, Vietnam’s domestic raw shrimp market remained generally stable, though slight adjustments were recorded in several sizes across key farming regions.
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